Category Archives: Lists

Keelyody and I didn’t walk today because it was raining cats and dogs, so I have a little extra time to tell you all of these unnecessary things.

I got my hairs cut a few weeks ago.

Mrs. Schmenkman cut it when I was in Virginia in May, and it grew out beautifully! She will be in town at the end of the month, but we have a wedding next weekend and I was unfortunately becoming unsightly. I am glad she is coming for many reasons, but one reason is because it could use a little “tweaking”. I don’t know how all of you nonprofessionals do it, Schmenky and I always have to TWEAK! But all in all, I can make it work.

Honey and The Boy enjoy these Bear Paw slippers. They are actually rather particular about them. I first found them for a bargain price at a TJ Maxx or a Marshalls and bought 2 pair. Honey immediately loved them but The Boy said he didn’t need them, so I returned his. He then realized the error of his ways and wore Honey’s when he could. They are evidently very comfy.

When The Boy went away to college, Honey gave him his old ones, as he was on his second pair. Which, by the way, I never could find again at TJ Maxx or Marshalls for a bargain price, and had to resort to paying bigger dollars for them at Famous Footwear.

When The Boy came home for visits, he brought the Bear Paws, which by then were being held together by duct tape. I think he even said he was wearing them outside the home. So for Christmas several years ago they both received a new pair of the Paws. I don’t know The Boy’s slipper situation at the moment, but I have made the decision for Honey that it’s time to break down and use the newbies. Mainly because he is unknowingly leaving pieces of cracked sole all over the house. I call it an executive decision, because he keeps saying his old ones are FINE. They will be relegated to outside use only, where he can litter sole pieces without judgment.

Well worn, well loved. What the heck is coming out of the back end of those puppies??? RIP beloved Paws.

Honey was laid off the week before last! I KNOW!!!! WE couldn’t believe it either! We were so excited! Unfortunately his back was also laid off and he didn’t get to 3/4 of what he would have liked to accomplish. But towards the end of the week, after some loving attention from massage therapist Mousey, he arose and went outside to help put the outside stuff away in preparation for winter. Goodbye summer friends. The pool has been closed over a month, so the watering had been sporadic, it was time.

Even though it has been flat out HOT up here in The Mitten for a sweet FOREVER, I am hopeful that fall is coming. Sometime. So I swapped the spring wreath off the front door for the autumn and hauled up some decorations in a show of good faith that it would actually happen this month. Seymour loves a little redecorating, he was all over it.

I should git, we are having a small group kick off dinner tonight and every single thing needs to be done in preparation. Have a fine fall weekend. Even if you are sweating.

It’s been a bit nippy walking in the mornings, 50 and up this week, and some 40s last week. It’s coming!

Despite reading on Facebook yesterday that they a predicting a warmer than usual fall. It’s shaping up to be a purty one!

Honey had the pool closed last week so that means I’m about done watering down there. This was my favorite this season.

I was not as happy with my stuff this year as in years past. And I even had my plants in early this year because of hosting the end of year BSF luncheon the second week of May! They just hemmed and hawed and didn’t do much until almost July.

My zinnias were one of the biggest disappointments. I somehow got 3 different varieties, and one bunch was ALL yellow. I prefer a riot of color, not a riot of all yellow pom poms. I’m sorry to be a snob, but I think of this kind as a lesser zinnia, the short squatty one.

I quite like these, and these are the usual kind I get. Even they were not riotously colorful this year

I don’t think I have ever had these super tall, leggy babes before!

Plenty colorful up next to the always reliable Black Eyed Susans.

But unfortunately you cannot tell which kind you have when they are all a couple inches tall and my half circle of zinnias looked mighty stoopid sporting all of the different heights!!!!! Not to mention the tall ones completely obscured the half circle of day lilys and wasted them.

Try as I might to separate the colors, I was not very successful, which also contributed to my dissatisfaction.

This side was a little better, but they did not grow like they usually do.

The front looked ok but I still have complaints. Not enough color in the side pots,

and too many petunias!! There were so many other pretty things in that pot when purchased, but those petunias HOGGED the whole pot!!!

Big sigh, oh well, there’s always next year.

I was happy with the things in this little bastion of visual interest! I copied the idea from my sweet friend Sarah, who had a similar one from the South Haven farmers market on her front porch. I plopped some of my heart shaped shells and rocks, collected on Florida trips, along with words that inspire. Heart it!

Oklahoma Tammy asked about a product I had mentioned last week, this is what it looks like. I buy it at Gordon’s, but I saw this at the regular grocery. It is good for breading and batters, looks like flour. I dredge my sliced chicken breasts in it and fry in peanut oil, YUM!

Was certainly praying this for all of our loved ones in the wake of Hurricane Irma. So far everyone is fine but haven’t heard about all the damage to the homes. It could have been SO.MUCH.WORSE! Thank you Lord!!!!!!!

And finally a sweet picture of our little Moonpie! Who is getting chunky, smiley and chatty!! Hi Bay-Be!

I don’t know about you guys but I am hearing a lot about Himalayan salt lamps. Calming, air cleaning, basically magical properties dressed up as an attractive night light. While I would be totally fine experiencing all of the bonus extras, it mostly meets my need for a cute little light to help the Girls get to the hall at night without turning on all the lights along the way. It really has a nice, glowing, pleasant quality about it, with the added benefit of looking very nice complimenting our decor. I am pleased with my purchase!

Nothing says summer like the BLT! Because Mousey is trying to stick to a low carb/keto diet, she had hers on Romaine lettuce, and because I am a copycat, i did too. It was so yummy I may never go back to bread! There are tomatoes on there, just hiding under the bacon. We also made a worthy stuffed mushroom to go along with and declared it a restaurant quality meal!

It’s hard t believe, but little Moon Pie is already ONE MONTH OLD!!!! Her Mama took these adorable pictures. She is a creative gal, so I imagine we will all benefit from her skillz!

This pose is full on Mousey! So relaxed.

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby!

Baby bum!

She is starting to get a little chunk on those thighs, we love the chunk!

So precious!

Hoping to be back tomorrow for the Hodgepodge. There was no edition last week because our hostess Joyce was on vacation to meet HER new grandbaby, who coincidentally also lives in Washington state!

Things have been busy around here this summer. I can’t always say exactly why, but the fact remains. I have worked quite a bit, watered a LOT, and vacuumed less than I should have. Honey and I have accomplished quite a bit, including hedge and bush trimming detail, garage cleaning, and we made a small, but valuable dent, in our basement.

We had the second week of our summer Bible study on Wednesday night. There are a whole slew of past and present BSFers in attendance!!! I am really liking the study, Discerning The Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer. This week was about the Holy Spirit and being still, both mysterious things for me. I know that The Holy Spirit lives inside me and guides me in all things, but the hard part for me is being still to intentionally hear His still small voice. Nothing puts my ADD on full display like trying to sit still and concentrate! It’s like I physically NEED to do something else at the same time! Such as pray AND drive, work on my Bible study WHILE flipping through my Bible, pray AS I fold laundry or cut the grass. When I try to just sit I end up having to telling the Lord I am sorry to have left Him hanging while I lily pad jumped through about 37 thoughts, and got up to do 7 things I thought of, things that have nothing to do withanything! I have concluded that He made me and knows all about my deficits, He does speak to me, guides me, convicts me, and I do feel His presence, all without sitting still and focusing. He loves me and has shown His hand in my life and revealed His thoughts in other ways, and I am grateful.

I am especially happy that The Ab-Cat has been coming. I’m not quite sure what she thinks about us all, she did say we were very LOUD!

I am trying not to inundate you all with beebee pictures, but this blog is my memory bank and it needs to be done.

Since we have not yet met the little punkin’, I have totally used pictures that The Boy and The Dane have texted, lifted some off of their Instagram and Facebook accounts and graciously had some sent to us by The Dane’s mama, Jeanette.

It sounds like everyone is doing well despite some early struggles. I think all new mamas and daddies can agree that this newborn stage is a bear to navigate, can I get an AMEN? Little Moon Pie looks to be a sweet lil’ puddin’ who is peacefully sleeping the majority of the time, according to pictures!

They have sent a funny video of them trying to wake her and she is obliviously smiling , yawning, and making hilarious old man faces!

It sounds like she is a good little eater and they seem to be enjoying her immensely!

The summer is moving right along and we are filling the days. Some days more filled with import than others 🙂

First off, Miss Mousey got herself a J.O.B.! We are so thankful for her opportunity to grow in her skills!

My friend CMB recommended this BBC PBS series called The Paradise. For any who were fans of Downton Abbey, this would be right up your alley! I am liking it a lot and the saddest part is they only made two seasons. I have been getting the discs from the library. There are commercials for other BBC PBS shows and I also rented another called Last Tango in Halifax. Have not gotten around to that one yet. Another friend, Nan C, has mentioned several times on the Facebook that Poldark is a worthy show. The Ab-Cat also liked that one.

So between these shows and watching The Great British Baking Show, also on PBS, I feel supremely steeped in all things British and proper!

WE FINALLY got around to straightening The Ab-Cats nappy hairs!!! Between the extreme heat of her last weeks of school and the potential to have a water balloon busted over her head in the end of school festivities, she was in her own words, a hot mess! We need to get off the twice a year schedule and into a thrice a year schedule. In addition, we need to get away from having to do the 3-4 hour process during the Christmas holidays, because ain’t nobody got time for that with Santa breathing down your neck and all!

She was in ….need.

Oh.Yes.She.Was

.

All better now!!!!

We did a fun thing last night! Elyk and Pug Mama were occupied helping at VBS and asked if we could watch their new little peanut! Of course we could!!!!! She was a little angel baby!

Such a good girl and looks just like her daddy! The Boy calls her Baby Elyk, so now we do too!

Good practice for my new role as Grammie. Or Grandma. Still not sure!

Need to git walking with Jip the Farm Dog. Last day for a week as both she and Keelody are leaving on trips. Have a good holiday weekend!

Whew, had a little bit of the hectic going on the last couple of weeks. Mainly working. I told Honey that about everyone of my clients needed their hair done in a three week span! I had people stuck all over the place! Add that to all the bits and pieces and life was a little full. How about a little catch up list?

Honey is having one of those months where everything he touches breaks or is already malfunctioning. I despise these times! He already has so little extra time and having multiple things that need his immediate attention is stressful and annoying for him. I’m praying that God expands his time and gives him uncommon wisdom. Two cars are acting up, our pool has air in the lines that cause it to gurgle like the worst intestinal trouble ever, all the live long day, and worst case scenario would need lines replaced which involves breaking concrete and we do NOT want to go there!

Before any of this new stuff sprouted he was working on his dang hedge clippers that will.not.start. despite all of his vast mechanical abilities. In the meantime our bushes and hedges just grow higher and higher. There is probably more, but these are the most consuming at the moment.

The Grandpa went to Philadelphia to visit his son Larry and look what they did!!! Not too shabby for 79 years of age! Here they are in front of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. I know that because of the movie National Treasure, which I HIGHLY recommend! On a segue way, just like Job Bluth, amazing! He had a great trip!

The Ab-Cat’s van is one that is needing attention, so I was dropping her off and picking her up from school on her last week before summer vacation. On the last day she asked if I wanted to come in and meet her “teachers”, the 3 teachers she goes between with her overage hours. It was wonderful to meet them and they said such kind and encouraging things about our girl! I loved walking through the halls with her and hearing the choruses of “Hi Miss Abby!!!”.

On the day I was coming into the school, she texted that I should get buzzed in, go to the office to sign in, and the ladies in there would tell me where to go. When I arrived I said I was Abby’s mom and she was with Mrs. M. The woman said she could take me down there. When we got to the classroom the students were at gym, so only Abby and the teacher were in the room, I overheard Ab say “oh, there’s my Mom!”. The woman who had walked me from the office said “oh, you’re ABBY’S mom! I should have noticed that right away, you two look so much alike!!”. At that point I told the woman she was my favorite person of the day/ month/year for thinking that I could have been the mom of a second grader!!!!!

Jip the Farm Dog’s son Daniel Tiger plays baseball for Central Michigan University. Fire up Chips! In a very exciting turn of events he was drafted by The Colorado Rockies!!!!! Now, I am not well versed in sportal things, but even I know this is a BIG DEAL!!!! Someone created this scene for him to celebrate the news!

Well done Daniel Tiger!!!!! And because Mom has been there every second of the journey, well done Jip the Farm Dog!!!!!

A bunch of past and present BSFers are going to do a Priscilla Shirer study this summer at our church. It’s called Discerning the Voice of God and I am really looking forward to it. Last years Armor of God was probably the most helpful study I have ever done, and if this one is even 1/2 as good I will be thrilled!

I spoke with The Boy and The Dane on the phone the other evening and they are both WAY ready to meet their new baby girl! The Dane had been to the dr that day and not much was happening. She is officially due on June 30, but she would be happy to go earlier! Her folks are coming from Denmark for the first 3 weeks of July and I’m guessing they would rather spend 3 weeks with the baby OUTSIDE of The Dane!!!!!

I still can’t decide if I should be Grammie or Grandma. Still pondering.

Spring is shaping up nicely in The Mitten. Honey and I actually got out there one day last week and did some yard work, weeding, cutting back grasses and such. Mousey helped me empty our shed of chairs, wind chimes and the pretty shelves and other things that help us enjoy our patio. I was sitting on the front porch yesterday afternoon with the elder felines and young catten and decided that this week needs to be the first grass cutting.

But, I got ahead of myself, we need to go back to Easter weekend. We took a trip over the Ambassador Bridge to see The Canadians! They have been here, but it had been far too long since we had visited the land of Honey’s people!

Queeny B and Paisley!

Paisley with her big brother Burke!

Then Turtle, Kim and sons! Parker and Spencer are adorable!

Finally Krazy Kenny, Honey’s sister Nanny Rachel, and Burke again. We need to do it again soon, those kids are SPROUTING too quick!!!!!

Our Easter Girlies. I am not sure what animals they are, but I love it!

We spent Easter Sunday at church and then joined The Grandpa, Beeve, Stacey and Goomba for lunch at a mediterranean restaurant, in a nod to our Savior’s place of origin.

I am hosting the Sharing Day fellowship for BSF admin and children’s leaders again this year. I have set a goal to have my flowers planted and arranged attractively in their places. It will either turn out great or cause me great angst. To help me get a jump on my plan, Jip the Farm Dog and I are heading out to the Favorite Flower Place on Thursday after BSF. She is, of course, buying flowers for her own yard. For some reason we have a great fondness for buying way too many flats and pots and then have to perform something like garden Jenga to get them all in the vehicle. We evidently like a challenge and take great pride in recalling our past successes!